Regulated sports usually depend on authorized entities that follow common rules for competitive sports. These entities, sports federations, usually manage identities and credentials for their stakeholders autonomously, using their own systems, but follow similar patterns and requirements to enable global participation in competitions. This document collects scenarios and use cases in the athletics ecosystem where the paradigm of decentralized digital credentials can be naturally applied.
This document is in early definition. We appreciate contributions from other sports.
Introduction
The decentralized model for digital identity and verifiable credentials enables trust while bringing full management flexibility and data sovereignty. In this model, the user holds their own verified credentials issued by trusted authorities and can be verified by relying parties.
The rise of the digital wallets and, in concrete, the EUDI wallet ecosystem, brings new opportunities for the management of personal credentials and authentication in scenarios like this. Storing a digital athlete's license and the permits to participate in the competition (i.e., qualification attestations and integrity permits) and the presentation to trusted officials would facilitate the process while increasing efficiency (i.e., real-time checking of attestations) and privacy (with selective disclosure or zero-knowledge proof).
During the conversations at AthTech'26, we discussed the feasibility of digitally transforming athletics and contributing to the digital credential ecosystem with new complementary scenarios and stakeholders. This document is a first attempt to gather use cases with the needs and challenges in the management of credentials in athletics and sports in general.
Terminology
This specification uses terms and a glossary already defined by other standardization activities, especially related to the [=verifiable credentials=] ecosystem [[VC-OVERVIEW]].
[=Credential=]
A set of one or more [=claims=] made by an [=issuer=], as defined in [[VC-DATA-MODEL-2.0]].
[=Holder=]
A role of an entity might be performed by possessing one or more [=verifiable credentials=] and generating [=verifiable presentations=]. Examples of [=holders=] in the sports scope are athletes, coaches, managers, runners, and fans. Holders store their [=credentials=] in [=credential repositories=] like wallets. Read a complete definition in [[VC-DATA-MODEL-2.0]].
[=Issuer=]
A role an entity can perform by asserting [=claims=], creating a [=verifiable credential=] from these [=claims=], and transmitting the [=verifiable credential=] to a [=holder=]. Read a complete definition in [[VC-DATA-MODEL-2.0]].
[=Presentation=]
Data derived from one or more [=verifiable credentials=] issued by one or more [=issuers=] that is shared with a specific [=verifier=], as defined in [[VC-DATA-MODEL-2.0]].
[=Credential repository=]
Software, like a personal wallet or other applications, that stores and protects access to [=holders=]' [=verifiable credentials=].
[=Selective disclosure=]
The ability of a [=holder=] to make fine-grained decisions about what information to share, as defined in [[VC-DATA-MODEL-2.0]].
[=Verification=]
The evaluation of whether a [=verifiable credential=] or [=verifiable presentation=] is authentic, including checking that the [=credential=] or [=presentation=] conforms to the document specification, the securing mechanism is satisfied, and, if present, the status check succeeds. Read a complete definition in [[VC-DATA-MODEL-2.0]].
[=Verifier=]
A role an entity performs by receiving one or more [=verifiable credentials=], optionally inside a verifiable presentation for processing, as defined in [[VC-DATA-MODEL-2.0]]..
[=Verifiable credential=]
A tamper-evident [=credential=] whose authorship can be cryptographically verified. [=Verifiable credentials=] can be used to build [=verifiable presentations=], as defined in [[VC-DATA-MODEL-2.0]]
[=Verifiable presentation=]
A tamper-evident presentation of information encoded in such a way that authorship of the data can be trusted after a process of cryptographic verification. Read a complete definition in [[VC-DATA-MODEL-2.0]].
Decentralized Identity Model
Stakeholders
Athlete
Person that participates in a competition regulated by a [=sports federation=]. [=Athletes=] are subjects of [=credentials=] issued by federations (e.g., competition licenses and attestation of achievements).
Athlete Manager
Sports agent with rights to legally represent athletes in a specific sport.
Competition Management System
Software that automates the administration of athletic events, streamlining registration, scheduling, and results in competitions. [=Competition management systems=] are operated by trusted service providers, and they can act as [=verifiers=] (e.g., verification of credentials for event registrations) and [=issuers=] (e.g., issuance of attestation of results after a competition).
Occasional Runner
Person that occasionally engages in running races and is not officially registered with a [=sports federation=] as an [=athlete=].
Sports Federation
Non-governmental governing body that administers, rules, and promotes a given sport. [=Sports federations=] usually play the [=issuer=] role, providing sports users like [=athletes=], coaches, officials, and managers with [=credentials=] (e.g., licenses and attestation of achievements) for operation under the scope of the regulated sport. Federations may also play the [=verifier=] role as described in the use cases section.
Sports Integrity Unit
Trusted organization aiming to address ethical misconduct in the sport, including non-authorized doping usage. The Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU) is one example of a [=sports integrity unit=].
Sports Official
Relying person involved in competition management and regulated sports competitions, in charge of enforcing rules, ensuring safety, and guaranteeing fairness in sports. Examples of [=sports officials=] include referees, judges, and marshals. [=Sports officials=] may operate [=competition management systems=] during events.
Credentials
In regulated sports, a [=credential=] might consist of information related to:
identifying the subject of the [=credential=] (e.g., athlete's picture and name)
issuing authority (e.g., [=sports federation=], service provider, medical service)
type of document or claim (e.g., medical certificate, sports license, and competition permit)
attributed asserted by the issuing authority about the subject (e.g., competitive category and anti-doping ban)
evidences of subject's qualifications required for issuance of the credential (e.g., competition permit based on performances)
constraints on the credential (e.g., validity period, scope of the license).
Common credentials that we can find in regulated sports are:
Credential issuance in regulated sports
Athlete License
Official [=credential=] issued by a [=sports federation=] to an [=athlete=] granting eligibility to compete in restricted events while ensuring adherence to rules, safety, and ethical integrity codes.
Athlete Manager License
Official [=credential=] that validates expertise of in athlete representation in a specific sport.
Runner Card
Official document required by federations and event organizers to participate in competitive road running events in concrete contexts. It might serve as sports insurance for [=occasional runners=] and bring other benefits through external sponsorship, like discounts on services and products. Examples: FIDAL's (Italian Athletics Federation) Runcard, Spanish Carnet Corredor, and Swiss Running.
Integrity Competition Permit
Attestation by neutral integrity commissions that guarantees the competitor's adherence to the sport rules regarding transparency, ethics, and fair play.
Sports Medical Certificate
Document usually signed by a doctor certifying an [=athlete=] has no contraindications to competitive sport. This attestation, also know as fit-to-run certificate, is often required for long-distance running races in France and Italy. Some events only require a simple positive self-declaration signed by the athletes themselves.
Competition Qualification Attestation
Official confirmation of an athlete meeting performance and integrity standards to advance in competitions (e.g., heats, semi-finals, and finals) or to participate in restricted competitions (e.g., membership of a national team).
Record Attestation
Formal ratification process that confirms sports performances meet regulation standards and so can be recognized as official, often requiring integrity acceptance, approved equipment, and qualified officials. These credentials are usually managed by sports federations.
Elite or High-Performance Condition Attestation
Confirmation of an athlete's high performance or elite status, indicating their high competitive level in sports. Conditions might vary across jurisdictions and sports, and these certificates may be used for grants or subsidies assignation. Examples of elite or high-performance condition could consider top positions in national rankings, regular participation in international competitions and Olympic/Paralympic Games participation.
Competition Result Attestation
Official confirmation of an athlete's performance during a competition. This result ratification may be associated with rewards and used by the athletes with third-party organizers to register in restricted events (e.g., minimum performance thresholds, starting lists ordered by performance).
Event Registration Attestation
Official confirmation of registration in a sports event. This certificate might ratify the registration of [=occasional runners=] in races, [=athletes=] in athletics tournaments, and third-parties as spectators.
Participation or Prize Voucher
Redeemable documents serving as proof of entitlement to awards or discounts often used in grassroots competitions to boost event participation and promote local sponsors. Swiss Runners Tickets are examples of participation vouchers.
Use Cases
This section collects typical scenarios and use cases where digital credentials may be applied to regulated sports. These cases are related to presentation of credentials in remote (online) and in proximity.
Remote Presentation of Credentials
Use cases for credential presentation in remote (online) scenarios
Athlete License Request using PID
An athlete attached to a federation requests the issuance of their digital license, authenticating by the official PID.
Holder
[=Athlete=]
Credentials (claims) Presented
Official PID
Verifier
[=Sports Federation=]
Journey:
🌐 An [=athlete=] attached to a [=sports federation=] enters the federation's website, using the browser of their smartphone, to obtain the digital [=athlete license=]. This license is needed for competitions during the sports season.
🪪 The [=sports federation=]'s website requests authentication and the [=athlete=] logs in to the website, presenting their official PID that is stored in the wallet of their smartphone.
🪪 After the verification of the user, the [=federation=]'s system issues a [=license=] to the [=athlete=]'s wallet.
Registration in the National Championships
An athlete that is qualified for the National Championships registers using an online platform after presenting a valid license, medical certificate, and the competition permits required for participation in the event.
Holder
[=Athlete=]
Credentials (claims) Presented
[=Athlete License=]
[=Sports Medical Certificate=]
[=Integrity Competition Permit=]
[=Competition Qualification Attestation=]
[=Competition Result Attestation=]
Verifier
[=Competition Management System=]
Journey:
🏟️ An [=athlete=] wants to register in the National Championships through the event's website, which is connected to the [=competition management system=]. Registration is limited to the top ten athletes in the ranking.
📱 The [=competition management system=] generates a QR code with a request for the claims required for the registration:
Attributes of the [=athlete license=]: name, surname, email, picture, competition category, and expiration date of the license.
A valid [=Sports Medical Certificate=] to guarantee the athlete is in healthy conditions.
An updated [=Integrity Competition Permit=]
An attestation about the [=competition qualification=], achieved in previous competitions granting access to the current competition.
Optionally, the attestation of previous [=competition results=] to measure the quality of the athlete.
🪪 The [=athlete=] scans the QR code with the wallet in their smartphone and accepts presenting all the attributes requested from the credentials stored in the wallet.
✅ The [=competition management system=] verifies the validity and integrity of the claims and registers the [=athlete=] in the competition.
🎫 The [=athlete=] receives a confirmation email and a QR code to start the issuance of the [=Event Registration Attestation=], confirming the registration in the event.
Sign up for the City Marathon
An occasional runner registers for the City Marathon using their runner card and a fit-to-run certificate on the event's website.
Holder
[=Occasional Runner=]
Credentials (claims) Presented
[=Runner Card=]
[=Sports Medical Certificate=]
Verifier
[=Competition Management System=]
Journey:
🎽 An [=occasional runner=] wants to register in the City Marathon through the event's website (connected to the [=competition management system=]). Registration requires participants to hold a valid [=Runner Card=] and a [=fit-to-run=] certificate.
📱 The [=competition management system=] generates a QR code with a request for the claims required for the registration:
Attributes of the [=Runner Card=]: name, surname, email, picture, competition category, and expiration date of the license.
A valid [=sports medical certificate=] (fit-to-run attestation) confirming that the person is in healthy conditions.
🪪 The [=runner=] scans the QR code with the wallet in their smartphone and accepts presenting all the attributes requested from the credentials stored in the wallet.
✅ The [=competition management system=] verifies the validity and integrity of the claims and registers the [=runner=] in the marathon.
🎫 The [=runner=] receives a confirmation email and a QR code to start the issuance of the [=event registration attestation=], confirming the registration in the marathon.
Application for a Sports Development Grant
An athlete that applies for a grant as part of a public program for sports development of high-performance athletes that have achieved outstanding results in their sports.
Holder
[=Athlete=]
Credentials (claims) Presented
[=Elite or High-Performance Condition Attestation=]
[=Record Holder Attestation=]
Official PID
Verifier
Public Service
Journey
🏆 An [=athlete=] is recognized by their national [=sports federation=] as an [=elite or high-performance=] athlete due to the results achieved during the season. The [=federation=] sends an email with a link to apply for a public grant to support the development of high-level athletes. The grant is offered by a third-party agency.
📱 The [=athlete=] accesses the public website from their smartphone and clicks the option to apply for a sports development grant.
🪪 The website requests some credentials to verify the athlete fulfills the criteria:
PID for identification as the natural person getting the grant.
[=Elite or high-performance condition attestation=] and, optionally,
[=Record holder attestations=], for increasing chances for getting the grant.
🆗 The [=athlete=] is prompted with a dialog to open the wallet where the concrete credentials are stored. The [=athlete=] opens the sports wallet and agrees to present the attributes required from the three documents.
✅ The public service verifies the authenticity and integrity of the credentials and registers the [=athlete=] as an applicant.
Discount Purchase with Winner's Voucher
A runner applies a discount voucher, received after winning a fun race, when purchasing goods on a sponsoring e-commerce website.
Holder
[=Occasional Runner=]
Credentials (claims) Presented
[=Participation or Prize Voucher=]
Payment Mandate
Official PID
Verifier
Sponsoring Merchant
Journey:
🧧 An [=occasional runner=], who received a [=prize voucher=] after winning a race, goes to a sponsoring merchant webshop to buy some goods using their desktop browser.
🤳 The system offers the [=runner=] the option of one-click checkout using the credentials store. The merchant's website shows a QR code that is scanned by the [=runner=] using their mobile app wallet.
💳 The [=runner=] agrees to present:
Invoicing and delivery information from the PID.
The [=prize voucher=] for a discount.
The mandate for payment.
🆗 The merchant's website confirms the transaction and sends the confirmation to the [=runner=].
Delegated Registration in Competition
An athlete manager registers several athletes to compete in a meeting.
Holder
[=Athlete Manager=]
Credentials (claims) Presented
[=Athlete Manager License=]
Verifier
[=Competition Management System=]
Journey:
💼 An [=athlete manager=], with a valid license, goes to the website of an athletics meeting and selects the option of delegated registration.
📲 The [=athlete manager=] scans a QR code with the wallet that stores their sports credentials and accepts to share the [=athlete manager license=] data, including their athletes associated.
🎽 The [=athlete manager=] selects the athletes to register and confirms.
💎 The [=competition management system=] verifies the license validity and integrity and shows confirmation.
Proximity Presentation of Credentials
Use cases for credential presentation in proximity scenarios
Athlete's Check-in in Competition
An athlete, registered in a competition, enters the stadium two hours before the start of their participation and confirms participation to the event's officials.
Holder
[=Athlete=]
Credentials (claims) Presented
[=Athlete License=]
[=Event Registration Attestation=]
[=Competition Qualification Attestation=]
Verifier
[=Competition Management System=]
Journey:
🏟️ An [=athlete=] that is registered in an official competition goes to the stadium before their participation. The [=athlete=] presents themself to the [=officials=] in the competition secretariat.
🪪 The [=official=] requests the [=license=] validity, the [=event registration attestation=], and the [=competition qualification attestation=] that confirm the athlete is allowed to compete in the events of that competition.
📱 The [=athlete=] shares a QR code from the wallet on their smartphone with the [=official=].
📱 The [=official=] verifies the [=license=] validity, the [=event registration=] and [=competition qualification=] attestation by scanning the QR code with a smartphone app connected to the [=competition management system=]. The smartphones exchange the required information via Bluetooth or NFC.
📋 After a successful validation, the [=competition management system=] includes the [=athlete=] in the official starting lists.
Pick-Up of Bib Number in City Marathon
A runner, registered for the City Marathon, collects their participation package and bib number before the City Marathon, presenting their Runner Card and proof of registration hours before the race.
Holder
[=Occasional Runner=]
Credentials (claims) Presented
[=Runner Card=]
[=Event Registration Attestation=]
Verifier
[=Competition Management System=]
Journey:
🏃♂️➡️ A [=runner=] that is registered in a city marathon goes to the venue before the event to collect the participation pack, including their bib number, required for participation.
🪪 Event organizer staff request the [=Runner Card=] used for registration in the event.
📱 The [=runner=] shares a QR code from the wallet on their smartphone with the event organizer.
📱 The event organizer verifies the [=Runner Card=] by scanning the QR code with a smartphone app connected to the [=competition management system=]. The event organizer's smartphone app and the runner's smartphone wallet exchange the information via Bluetooth or NFC.
✅ After successful validation in the system, the event organizer checks the picture of the [=runner=] on their tablet and gives the participation pack with the assigned bib number for the competition.
🎽 The [=runner=] wears the bib number and goes to the race start line.
Athlete Passes Competition Call Room
A cross-country athlete presents to the Call Room officials minutes before the competition, identifying themself and showing the qualification credentials to participate in the race.
Holder
[=Athlete=]
Credentials (claims) Presented
[=Athlete License=]
[=Competition Qualification Attestation=]
Verifier
[=Competition Management System=]
Journey:
🫷 An [=athlete=] presents themself at the Call Room, ten minutes before a cross-country race starts.
🪪 A competition [=official=] requests the [=Athlete's License=] and the attestation of [=competition qualification=] based on previous results.
⌚ The [=athlete=] shares a QR code from the wallet on their smartwatch with the [=official=].
📱 The [=official=] verifies the [=athlete license=] and [=Competition Qualification Attestation=] by scanning the QR code on the watch with a dedicated tablet connected to the [=competition management system=]. The Official's tablet and the Athlete's smartwatch exchange the information via Bluetooth or NFC.
✅ After successful validation of the attestations, the [=official=] checks the picture of the [=athlete=] on their tablet, and confirms the registration of the athlete in the race.
🏃♂️➡️ The [=athlete=] enters into the restricted area of competition.
A Call Room in athletics is a strict, mandatory process where officials verify an athlete's identity, dressing, and equipment compliance before a competition. Physically, the Call Room is a restricted area usually located between the warm-up area and the entry to the track, field, or start line of the competition. Athletes must identify themselves to the officials considering a tight schedule that varies depending on the discipline and type of event -it happens a few minutes before the competition.
Please contribute with your use case opening a new issue in our repository.
